Extremely dark magical lights have long been a subject of fascination and intrigue. These enigmatic lights possess an ethereal quality that seems to defy the laws of physics. Unlike ordinary lights, which emit brightness and illuminate their surroundings, extremely dark magical lights emanate darkness, almost as if they absorb light around them. This unique characteristic sets them apart from any other type of light source. The origin of extremely dark magical lights remains a mystery. Some believe that they are a product of forbidden spells or ancient rituals, while others theorize that they are a manifestation of otherworldly energy.
With creatures that have "at will" Darkness, you get a counteracting war (interesting) rather than the often automatic shutdown of the party (*sigh*). Early PFS1 seasons had many examples of this where one item or so made a huge fluctuation in scenario results, including entertainment. Led to much resentment, and lots of gold spent on light items (which would be harder to afford outside PFS or under a tighter power curve like in PF2). This goes both ways too, w/ some PC groups too easily shutting down threats w/ a token spell. PF2 has addressed the darkness/light conflict well IMO.
I have to comment that I strongly dislike the idea that many high level monsters simply cannot utilize any shadow based tactics because their Darkness which takes 3 actions and lasts only a minute does nothing because the party has an 8 hour cantrip active since the start of the day and very few monsters have their darkness heightened beyond at most 4th level. I move, a monster which has the Darkness spell on its list which is not heightened to at least its second highest slot has a flaw with its design, as it has no more practical use for that spell assuming it is expecting to use this darkness in a context where there are light-wielding PCs present than if it had a Dispel Magic or incapacitation effect of similarly low level--and at least the incapacitation spells plausibly have some kind of effect still.
Some believe that they are a product of forbidden spells or ancient rituals, while others theorize that they are a manifestation of otherworldly energy. Whatever their origin, one thing is certain: the paradoxical nature of extremely dark magical lights makes them a subject of great interest among scholars and practitioners of the arcane. Despite their dark nature, extremely dark magical lights possess an undeniable allure.
How to make darkness magical. Our Winter Solstice celebrations
December 21 is the darkest day of the year. Few of us modern peeps even notice it, except maybe to draw a sigh of relief that the light will begin to return now. Even fewer actually celebrate the winter soltice.
But the older I get, the more meaningful it feels to do so. The more connected I feel to the earth, to the seasons, to the cyclical nature of life, the more natural it feels for me to somehow mark the shift from dark to light, (and back again, on Midsummer).
Where I live, in Sweden, these shifts are huge. The dark season is DARK, with a sun that barely makes it above the horizon, and in the summer, barely sets at all. Living with this kind of darkness can be challenging, but it can also be beautiful and meaningful. Even a bit magical.
Because darkness is more than the abscense of light. It can be a nurturing presence, an invitation to slow down and look inwards. To notice things we don’t see when it’s light. The starlight, the shadow world, the way our senses sharpen when we can’t rely solely on our eyesight. It can be so very restful – if we heed that invitation. But we rarely do. It’s not built into our culture to let the changes of seasons affect our lives like that, to allow for slow periods, for hibernation and gestation.
Well, you know how I feel about that. I want to do it differently. Celebrating the winter solstice is part of it.
I know Christmas is around the corner. The last thing you might want is another thing on your to do-list. But it doesn’t have to be like that. It can be simple. A noticing, a conscious slowing down and noticing.
It can be a moment in the evening when the house is quiet when you turn off the lights and light a candle. A moment spent pondering what you’re leaving behind in the dark, and what you’re inviting in as you move into the light.
I’ve done it like that for a few years. Just me, a private little ceremony. But the last few years I felt like inviting the rest of the family and make it a part of our holiday season. I want to show my kids (without lecturing them) that there is more to this season than shopping and exchanging presents. Before the Christian tradition of Christmas there was Yule, the celebration of the new solar year and the return of light.
I want them to know about Frigga, the northern goddess who wove fate into being on her spinning wheel, and how her wheel – called “hjul” in Swedish and Norse – gave name to Yule. (Christmas is still called Jul in Sweden).
I want them to know where they come from. I want to anchor them in a tradition that is nourishing, that invites them to pay attention to the shifting seasons and the land they walk upon.
In doing so, we’re also removing some of the extreme focus on Christmas Eve. You know, the months of build up to that one day. It’s stressful, not just for us adults who are making it happen, but for the kids as well.
So, this is what will happen in our home on the 21st:
1. No electrical light in the house for the entire day. Only candles and fire (the Christmas tree exempted, see below) in order to really experience and rest in the dark. No computers or smartphones.
2. we’ll decorate the Christmas tree – finally! The lights from the tree will be the exception to the rule of no electrical light, because Christmas trees are magical.
3. For those who are up for it – a bath in the freezing lake, to really rinse off everything sluggish or old. It’s not for the faint of heart but I’m telling you, the rush of fire in your veins afterwards is exhilirating.
4. Back home, we’ll light a fire , inside or outside depending on weather. (The fire represents the returning light but you don’t have to make it into a thing if you don’t want to, kids love a good fire regardless).
5. on litte scraps of paper, We’ll write what we’re Leaving behind in the darkness, and what we’re inviting in (with the returning light), and then we throw the scraps into the fire.
6. We’ll have a picnic style feast lit by all the candles we can find in the house. Nothing that needs to be cooked since We want to keep it simple. Also, the kitchen is a bit dark without the electric light 🙂 We’ll likely be playing some cards or a board game or two.
7. We’ll end it all with a sleepover on the living room floor, in front of the fireplace. Just bring out some matresses and sleep the whole family together in the dark. Yep, this was the kids’ idea, but I have to admit it’s kind of cosy 🙂
Nothing fancy, nothing expensive, no big party. Just us, spending some very special time together before the rush of Christmas.
Wishing you a blessed Yule, whichever way you do (or don’t do) it.
Their hypnotic glow draws people in, beckoning them closer despite their instinctive fear of darkness. It is this captivating quality that has led some to speculate that these lights possess a certain sentience, as if they have a will of their own. The darkness emitted by extremely dark magical lights is not ordinary darkness. It is a darkness that seems to possess a strange kind of heaviness, almost tangible in its presence. Some claim that extended exposure to these lights can alter one's perception, inducing a state of heightened awareness or even inducing visions. Given their mysterious properties, extremely dark magical lights have been the subject of much research and experimentation. Scholars and magicians alike have attempted to understand and harness the power of these lights for their own purposes. However, caution is advised when dealing with such powerful forces, as the true nature of extremely dark magical lights remains largely unknown. In conclusion, extremely dark magical lights are a captivating and mysterious phenomenon. Their ability to emit darkness rather than light sets them apart from any other light source. The origin and true nature of these lights are still largely unknown, fueling speculation and intrigue among those who study them. While they possess a certain allure and have been the subject of much research, caution is advised when dealing with these enigmatic lights..
Reviews for "The Mesmerizing Glow of Extremely Dark Magical Lights"
1. Jane - 1 star
I found "Extremely Dark Magical Lights" to be extremely disappointing. The plot was confusing and lacked depth, and the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. The writing style was choppy and hard to follow, making it difficult to become immersed in the story. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-developed fantasy novel.
2. Mark - 2 stars
While I appreciate the author's attempt to create a unique and dark magical world in "Extremely Dark Magical Lights," I felt that the execution fell flat. The pacing of the book was off, with long stretches of unnecessary descriptions and little action or plot advancement. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. I was hoping for a more engaging and thrilling read, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Extremely Dark Magical Lights" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The world-building felt underdeveloped and the magic system lacked consistency. I also struggled to connect with the main characters, as they lacked depth and often made irrational decisions. The story was filled with predictable plot twists and lacked the suspense and tension that I had hoped for. Overall, I found this book to be a mediocre read that fell short of its potential.